It is only natural for me to be thinking of you all in this way, for alike in my prison and as I defend and vindicate the gospel, I bear in mind how you all share with me in the grace divine.

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

And I pray that your love may grow stronger and stronger, [along] with how much you know, and [that you may grow] in your ability to comprehend things.

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus to you shortly, that I also may be refreshed, knowing how ye get on.

For I have no one like-minded who will care with genuine feeling how ye get on.

But you know of Timothy’s tested worth and his proven character, that he has served with me to advance the gospel like a son serving with his father.

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Therefore, those of us who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will show you how to think.

Therefore, my dear brothers whom I long for, my joy and my victor's crown, this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.